“People are not composed of a single one-dimensional story…Everybody's complicated.” What does it mean to truly belong? Award-winning multimedia artist Anila Quayyum Agha has spent her life exploring this question through breathtaking installations of light, shadow, and intricate patterns. Behind her internationally celebrated artwork is an extraordinary story of resilience. After immigrating to the United States, Anila faced loneliness, discrimination, financial hardship, and the challenge of building a new life while raising a child. Rather than allowing those experiences to diminish her, she transformed them into stunning art that invites us all to see one another with greater curiosity, compassion and humanity. In this episode, we discuss: Finding belonging in an unfamiliar world How creativity helps us heal during life's most difficult seasons Why curiosity may be our greatest act of compassion and connection How women can rewrite their story through courage and education If you've ever wondered where you truly belong, this episode is for you. To learn more about Anila’s art and showings, please visit anilaagha.com. If you found this episode helpful, you might want to listen to Episode 36, “Resilience in Full Color,” with Judith Bigham or Episode 18, “The Healing Power of Wonder,” with Micha Archer.  Also, please consider subscribing to this podcast, leaving a review, and sharing this episode with others. Thank you. If you are interested in Donna's guided meditations, visit donnayferris.com/meditations or insighttimer.com/donnayferris. To join our free weekly Centering Group, please email [email protected]. Donna’s latest book, Bounce Back Stronger – Finding Peace and Purpose No Matter What Happens can be purchased here. Click here to subscribe to, or read our latest newsletter. Follow Donna on Instagram, Bluesky, or YouTube @donnayferris or Facebook @donnayatesferris. And if you’re looking for mental health resources, please click here, or reach out to your insurance provider. If you are in crisis, please dial 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or dial 988 for the suicide hotline (US only). If you are transgender, the 24/7 Trans Lifeline is 1-877-330-6366. #Resilience #Belonging #Creativity #PersonalGrowth #WomenEmpoweringWomen #Healing #Mindfulness #BounceBackStronger #AnilaQuayyumAgha

“This is a place where your body remembers how to be safe." If you're awake right now, you're not alone. This gentle sleep meditation is here for the middle-of-the-night moments when your mind feels busy, and your body won’t fully settle. Instead of trying to force sleep, we’ll create space for calm, safety, and ease. Through soft breathwork, full-body relaxation, and a peaceful meadow visualization, you’ll be gently guided back toward rest—without pressure or expectation. Whether sleep comes quickly or not at all, you are safe here. You are supported. You have permission to rest. Designed for nighttime anxiety, overthinking, and waking in the night. If you enjoyed this episode, you might want to listen to Donna's other meditations here or on Insight Timer. Donna’s latest book, Bounce Back Stronger – Finding Peace and Purpose No Matter What Happens, can be purchased here. To join our email list or inquire about meditation instruction or life coaching, visit donnayferris.com Follow Donna on Instagram, Bluesky, or YouTube @donnayferris or Facebook @donnayatesferris. And if you’re looking for mental health resources, please click here or reach out to your insurance provider. If you are in crisis, please dial 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or dial 988 for the suicide hotline (US only). If you are transgender, the 24/7 Trans Lifeline in the US is 1-877-565-8860, and in Canada, it is 1-877-330-6366. #SleepMeditation #AnxietyRelief #InsomniaSupport #GuidedMeditation #SleepHelp #NervousSystemHealing #Mindfulness #BounceBackStronger Music: Endless Sleep by Lost Ghosts

“I grew up in a very small town in the 70s. So when I had my first girlfriend in high school, we didn't have a name for ourselves. We didn't even know the word lesbian. We found it in a dictionary…in our high school library. And we're like, ‘That's what we are.’" Your story could be exactly what someone else needs to hear. In this episode, in honor of Pride Month, Jennifer Lee Selig shares how memoir writing can help people process trauma, discover who they are, and transform difficult experiences into stories that bring meaning, healing, and connection. We discuss: Writing through adversity The role of community in healing LGBTQ+ visibility and representation Creativity as a resilience practice This conversation is full of wisdom for writers, caregivers, survivors, and anyone on a personal growth journey. To learn more about Jennifer’s books, courses, and events, visit jenniferleighselig.com. If you enjoyed this episode, you might want to listen to episodes with other authors, including Episode 53 with Rita Zoey Chin and Episode 29 with Mira Bartok. Also, please consider subscribing to this podcast, leaving a review, and sharing this episode with others. Thank you. Donna’s latest book, Bounce Back Stronger – Finding Peace and Purpose No Matter What Happens, can be purchased here. To join our email list or inquire about meditation instruction or life coaching, visit donnayferris.com Follow Donna on Instagram, Bluesky, or YouTube @donnayferris or Facebook @donnayatesferris. Her guided meditations can also be found on Insight Timer. And if you’re looking for mental health resources, please click here or reach out to your insurance provider. If you are in crisis, please dial 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or dial 988 for the suicide hotline (US only). If you are transgender, the 24/7 Trans Lifeline in the US is 1-877-565-8860, and in Canada, it is 1-877-330-6366. #PrideMonth #RepresentationMatters #MemoirWriting #LGBTQCommunity #Healing #Storytelling #Trauma

“So often conversations and coaching goes straight to, ‘Here’s how you update your resume. Here’s what you do with your LinkedIn profile.’ And there’s nothing that says, ‘Listen, you need to pause. You’re gonna feel some grief. It’s gonna hurt, and here’s how you get through it.” In this episode of Bounce Back Stronger, author Steve Jaffe shares how losing a job impacts identity, mental health, relationships, and self-worth — and why the traditional “just update your resume” advice misses the point. Drawing from his book, The Layoff Journey, Steve explains how the seven stages of grief can help people process layoffs, regain confidence, and navigate career transitions with resilience, acceptance, and hope. In the episode, we discuss: Why layoffs are rarely personal 3 Things to Do in the Early Days Healthy coping tools (like a gratitude practice) that actually help If you’re navigating a layoff, career transition, or burnout, this conversation will help you feel less alone. To learn more about Steve and his book, visit thestevejaffe.com. If you enjoyed this episode, you might want to listen to Episode #55 “When Gratitude is Hard” with Eve Turek and Episode #44 “How Tami Adams Turned Job Loss Into Success.” Also, please consider subscribing to this podcast, leaving a review, and sharing this episode with others. Thank you. Donna’s latest book, Bounce Back Stronger – Finding Peace and Purpose No Matter What Happens, can be purchased here. To join our email list or inquire about meditation instruction or life coaching, visit donnayferris.com Follow Donna on Instagram, Bluesky, or YouTube @donnayferris or Facebook @donnayatesferris. Her guided meditations can also be found on Insight Timer. And if you’re looking for mental health resources, please click here or reach out to your insurance provider. If you are in crisis, please dial 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or dial 988 for the suicide hotline (US only). If you are transgender, the 24/7 Trans Lifeline in the US is 1-877-565-8860, and in Canada, it is 1-877-330-6366. #Layoff #CareerTransition #MentalHealth #JobLoss #Resilience #Podcast #BounceBackStronger #CareerAdvice #Healing #SteveJaffe #depression

“Maybe building a life we don’t need to escape from happens slowly — one mindful moment, one gentle choice at a time.” What would it look like to build a life you don’t constantly feel the need to escape from? In this new Bounce Back Stronger Reflections episode, host Donna Ferris shares a personal reflection on burnout, mindfulness, grief, anxiety, birdsong, and learning how to slow down long enough to notice what’s still beautiful. This episode is for anyone feeling overwhelmed, emotionally exhausted, or stuck in survival mode lately. We talk about: Meditation and mindfulness Reframing anxious thoughts Healing after loss Finding hope in small daily moments And why birds may understand resilience better than we do If you enjoyed this episode, you might want to listen to Episode #91 – “Letting Go of Control: How to Find Peace When Life Feels Uncertain.” Also, please consider subscribing to this podcast, leaving a review, and sharing this episode with others. Thank you. Donna’s latest book, Bounce Back Stronger – Finding Peace and Purpose No Matter What Happens, can be purchased here. To provide feedback on this podcast or suggest topics, please email [email protected]. Follow Donna on Instagram, Bluesky, or YouTube @donnayferris or Facebook @donnayatesferris. Her guided meditations can also be found on her website and on Insight Timer. And if you’re looking for mental health resources, please click here or reach out to your insurance provider. If you are in crisis, please dial 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or dial 988 for the suicide hotline (US only). If you are transgender, the 24/7 Trans Lifeline in the US is 1-877-565-8860, and in Canada, it is 1-877-330-6366. #MentalHealth #Mindfulness #Healing #BurnoutRecovery #SelfCare #GriefHealing #Meditation #PersonalGrowth #Resilience #PodcastRecommendation #BounceBackStronger

“I can’t spend the next 30 years of my life like this—that’s not a life.” In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, this powerful episode features Betsy Thibaud Stephenson, author of Blackbird, sharing her deeply personal experience of navigating unimaginable loss after the death of her son to suicide, along with multiple losses that followed. Instead of avoiding grief, Betsy fearlessly faced it head-on—writing in real time and speaking openly about loss, mental health, healing, and what it means to rebuild your life after everything changes. This conversation offers honest insight into the emotional reality of grief and practical ways to cope, process loss, and move forward—one small step at a time. In this episode, you’ll learn: How to cope with grief and suicide loss Why letting go of “what if” supports healing The importance of allowing yourself to feel grief How small steps can help you rebuild after loss What to say to someone who is grieving If you’re grieving or supporting someone who is, this episode provides a way forward with compassion, clarity, and hope. To learn more about Betsy and her book, please visit blackbirdbetsy.com. If you enjoyed this episode, you might want to listen to other mental health episodes, including Episode #52 – “3 Ways to Lift Yourself Out of Depression with Garry Cosnett” or Episode #50 “Why Talking About Mental Health Builds Stronger Kids with Sandra Lau.” Also, please consider subscribing to this podcast, leaving a review, and sharing this episode with others. Thank you. Donna’s latest book, Bounce Back Stronger – Finding Peace and Purpose No Matter What Happens, can be purchased here. To join our email list or inquire about meditation instruction or life coaching, visit donnayferris.com Follow Donna on Instagram, Bluesky, or YouTube @donnayferris or Facebook @donnayatesferris. Her guided meditations can also be found on her website and on Insight Timer. The one mentioned in this podcast," Imagine it Working Out: A Hope Meditation," can be found here. And if you’re looking for mental health resources, please click here or contact your insurance provider. If you are in crisis, please dial 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or dial 988 for the suicide hotline (US only). If you are transgender, the 24/7 Trans Lifeline in the US is 1-877-565-8860, and in Canada, it is 1-877-330-6366. #BounceBackStronger #GriefHealing #MentalHealthAwareness #SuicidePrevention #Resilience #Memoir #HealingJourney #DonnaYFerris #BetsyThibautStephenson #BlackbirdBook #GriefSupport #YouAreNotAlone #GriefAwareness #MentalHealth #HopeAfterLoss #GriefSupport #Healing#GriefSupport #SuicideLoss #HealingJourney #MentalHealthMatters

What if the key to peace isn’t controlling life… but letting go? In this short reflection episode of Bounce Back Stronger, I’m sharing a personal story from a quiet morning walk that turned into a powerful reminder: the only thing we can truly control is our own behavior. Inspired by the teachings of Pema Chödrön and the practice of mindfulness, this episode explores what it means to release attachment to outcomes, navigate uncertainty, and find steadiness when life feels ungrounded. If you’ve been feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or stuck trying to manage what’s out of your control, this gentle reflection offers a new way forward. You’ll learn: Why letting go of control can actually bring more peace A simple mindset shift to reduce stress and anxiety How to stay grounded when life feels uncertain A powerful mantra: Unbothered. Unbothering. Unbotherable. This episode is part of a new reflections series—short, personal insights I share every other week alongside guest conversations—based on what I’m learning and experiencing in real time. Take a breath, soften into the moment, and remember: peace and purpose are still available… no matter what happens.

“70% of the money stress that people experience comes from actually not knowing what's happening with your money.” If you’ve ever: Avoided looking at your bank account Felt anxious every time you spend Wondered where your money actually goes You’re not alone—and according to this week’s guest, Scarlett Stanhope (The Biz Hippie), you’re not “bad with money.” In this conversation, she breaks down what financial wellness really means—and how to bring simple spiritual practices into your financial life so you can start feeling more in control right now. We talk about: Why money stress isn’t really about income The surprising way tracking your money creates freedom How your mindset shapes your financial reality Simple steps to feel more in control—starting today Because as Scarlett says, “Clarity creates control—and control creates peace.” To learn more about Scarlett’s coaching services and The Empowered and Abundant Podcast, visit thebizhippie.com. If you enjoyed this episode, you might want to listen to Episode #79 The Simple Path to Financial Freedom with Cindy Ross and Todd Gladfelter and Episode #25 From Stress to Success: Three Ways Mindfulness Upgraded My Life and Career. Also, please consider subscribing to this podcast, leaving a review, and sharing this episode with others. Thank you. Donna’s latest book, Bounce Back Stronger – Finding Peace and Purpose No Matter What Happens, can be purchased here. To join our email list or inquire about meditation instruction or life coaching, visit donnayferris.com Follow Donna on Instagram, Bluesky, or YouTube @donnayferris or Facebook @donnayatesferris. Her guided meditations can also be found on her website and on Insight Timer. And if you’re looking for mental health resources, please click here or reach out to your insurance provider. If you are in crisis, please dial 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or dial 988 for the suicide hotline (US only). If you are transgender, the 24/7 Trans Lifeline in the US is 1-877-565-8860, and in Canada, it is 1-877-330-6366. #financialwellness #moneymindset #personalgrowth #financialfreedom #abundancemindset #podcastlife #selfworth #moneytips #intentionalliving

“I didn't have on my bucket list to be a sober person at all. My bingo card did not include this.” What if giving up alcohol didn’t take your life away—but gave you a whole new one? In this honest, relatable—and often funny—conversation, host Donna Ferris and sobriety coach Lori Massicot share their real-life journeys of quitting alcohol in midlife. They explore the unexpected gifts of sobriety, from better sleep and reduced anxiety to renewed confidence and a deeper sense of purpose. In this episode, you’ll learn: What really happens in the first 30–100 days of sobriety How alcohol affects anxiety, sleep, and hormones in midlife Why more women are rethinking their relationship with alcohol Practical tools to manage cravings and emotional triggers How sobriety can open the door to an entirely new way of living Whether you’re sober curious, rethinking your “wine habit,” or ready to stop drinking, this conversation will meet you exactly where you are. To learn more about Lori, her podcast, and coaching services, visit lorimassicot.com. The link to the To Fifty and Beyond episode with Donna is here, and the link to the mentioned Ten Percent Happier episode with Annie Grace is here. Also, please consider subscribing to this podcast on your podcast provider or YouTube, leaving a review, and sharing this episode with others. Thank you. Donna’s latest book Bounce Back Stronger – Finding Peace and Purpose No Matter What Happens can be purchased here. To join our email list or inquire about meditation instruction or life coaching, visit donnayferris.com Follow Donna on Instagram, Bluesky, or YouTube @donnayferris or Facebook @donnayatesferris. Her guided meditations can also be found on her website and on Insight Timer. And if you’re looking for mental health resources, please click here or reach out to your insurance provider. If you are in crisis, please dial 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or dial 988 for the suicide hotline (US only). If you are transgender, the 24/7 Trans Lifeline in the US is 1-877-565-8860, and in Canada, it is 1-877-330-6366. #SoberCurious #MidlifeWomen #QuitDrinking #SobrietyJourney #AlcoholFree #WomenOver50 #AlcoholFreeLiving #Perimenopause #SoberLiving #WomenSupportingWomen #MidlifeTransformation #Sobriety #QuitDrinking #SobrietyPodcast #RecoveryJourney #AlcoholAwareness #HealthyLifestyle #WomenOver50 #SobrietySupport #WellnessJourney

“Grief sucks your energy up, but you have all of this love that you just don't have anywhere to put... the walking and the hiking and being outside — I felt so connected to the earth and so connected to myself.” Just six weeks after her wedding, Cindy Francois became a widow at 28. Her husband Wayne — her best friend of 10 years — died suddenly of cardiac arrest. What happened next is extraordinary: instead of staying stuck, Cindy loaded up her car and drove 45,000 miles through 47 national parks, spreading Wayne's ashes along the way, writing her memoir Traveling Through Grief, and finding a path back to life. In this episode, Cindy shares: Why she felt a "magnetic pull" toward national parks after her loss How hiking and walking became unexpected grief therapy The profound signs she received from Wayne Her advice for anyone facing devastating loss Her top national park recommendations for healing If you're navigating grief, loss, or a major life transition — or if you love powerful stories of resilience and the healing power of nature — this episode is for you. To learn more about Cyndi and her book, visit cyndifrancois.com. If you enjoyed this episode, you might want to listen to Episode #5 “Leave Guilt Behind” with Erin Byron or Episode #13 “Find Happiness After Loss” with Maria Sirois. Also, please consider subscribing to this podcast, leaving a review, and sharing this episode with others. Thank you. Donna’s latest book, Bounce Back Stronger – Finding Peace and Purpose No Matter What Happens, can be purchased here. To join our email list or get a list of upcoming events, visit donnayferris.com Follow Donna on Instagram, Bluesky, or YouTube @donnayferris or Facebook @donnayatesferris. Her guided meditations can also be found on her website and on Insight Timer. And if you’re looking for mental health resources, please click here or reach out to your insurance provider. If you are in crisis, please dial 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or dial 988 for the suicide hotline (US only). If you are transgender, the 24/7 Trans Lifeline in the US is 1-877-565-8860, and in Canada, it is 1-877-330-6366. #GriefTravel #HealingAfterLoss #NationalParks #YoungWidow #GriefPodcast #NatureHealing #TransformationalTravel #WidowLife #BounceBackStronger #MentalHealthTravel